Difference between revisions of "Lizard Musculoskeletal System"
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[[Image:Lizard_autotomy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Lizard tail after autotomy''' (© Metatron, Wikimedia Commons]] | [[Image:Lizard_autotomy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Lizard tail after autotomy''' (© Metatron, Wikimedia Commons]] | ||
Like other reptiles, lizards have a single occiptal condyle. Ribs are present on all vertebrae except tail and cervical vertebrae. | Like other reptiles, lizards have a single occiptal condyle. Ribs are present on all vertebrae except tail and cervical vertebrae. | ||
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==Autotomy== | ==Autotomy== | ||
| − | Several families of | + | Several families of lizard can voluntarily discard the tail when seized by a predator. The discarded wriggling tail is thought to distract the attention of the predator, enabling the lizard to escape. The animal is able to grow a new tail, although the regenerated tail is never as long or well formed as the original. |
| − | + | Lizards that are capable of [[Autotomy|autotomy]] have a vertical fracture plane through the body and part of the neural arch of the tail vertebrae. This is a plate of cartilage or connective tissue that develops after ossification. Autotomy and regeneration occur in many [[Lizard Classification|iguanid]] species but not in many [[Lizard Classification|agamids]], [[Monitor|monitors]] and [[Chameleon|chameleons]]. | |
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| − | Lizards that are capable of autotomy have a | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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| + | * Mader, D.R. (2005). ''Reptile Medicine and Surgery''. Saunders. pp. 1264. ISBN 072169327X | ||
[[Category:Lizard_Anatomy|M]] | [[Category:Lizard_Anatomy|M]] | ||
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Revision as of 16:31, 2 April 2010
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Like other reptiles, lizards have a single occiptal condyle. Ribs are present on all vertebrae except tail and cervical vertebrae.
Autotomy
Several families of lizard can voluntarily discard the tail when seized by a predator. The discarded wriggling tail is thought to distract the attention of the predator, enabling the lizard to escape. The animal is able to grow a new tail, although the regenerated tail is never as long or well formed as the original.
Lizards that are capable of autotomy have a vertical fracture plane through the body and part of the neural arch of the tail vertebrae. This is a plate of cartilage or connective tissue that develops after ossification. Autotomy and regeneration occur in many iguanid species but not in many agamids, monitors and chameleons.
References
- Mader, D.R. (2005). Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Saunders. pp. 1264. ISBN 072169327X